Memo On Medical Standards Program Transition Plan Issued

Memorandum

To:               Regional Directors
Attention:     Superintendents

From: for Associate Director, Visitor and Resource Protection /s/ Cameron Sholly

Subject: NPS Process for Managing Medical Standards Program Transition Plan

This memorandum provides NPS specific direction and information on how to implement National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s (NWCG) Managing Medical Standards Program Transition Plan, NWCG memorandum, NWCG# 008-2009 (Refer to: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/NWCG/NWCG_008-2009_Memo_MSP_Transition_Plan.pdf ), during the transition between medical services contract providers. Our ultimate goal is to ensure firefighter safety and health while meeting the needs of the wildland fire program.

The NPS will implement the NWCG Transition Plan in addition to the following processes:

• Newly hired personnel in permanent, career seasonal, and term positions that require arduous duty for wildland fire who would have received a “Baseline” medical examination under the Interagency Medical Standards Program (IMSP) as a condition of employment:
  • Must pass a medical examination as a condition of employment, as per the SF-78 process established in the NWCG Transition Plan.
  • Must complete the “Baseline” examination, as required by IMSP within 60 days of the reestablishment of the new medical services contract.
• For firefighters who receive a medical exam using the SF-78 process, the Servicing Human Resource Officer (SHRO) will provide the following documents to the firefighter to take to the exam or directly to the examining physician:
  • SF-78. Select applicable form at: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/NWCG_transition.htm,
  • Supplemental form, Physical Requirements for Firefighters and Smokejumper Positions. Refer to: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/NWCG/1400-108.pdf,
  • NPS Cover Letter to Physicians. Refer to: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/NPS.htm
  • Essential Functions and Work Conditions for Wildland Firefighters. Refer to: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/NWCG_transition.htm
  • Completed Health Screen Questionnaire (HSQ). Blank HSQ form can be found at: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/NWCG/OMB%200596_0164_HSQ.pdf
• Firefighters that receive “Limiting Conditions,” noted on the SF-78 from their examining physician, will not be eligible to participate in the WCT and thus not participate in wildland firefighting at the arduous level. These firefighters will be required to participate in the Interagency Medical Standards Program when the new medical exam contract for services is available.
• Notification will be made from the SHRO to the respective FMO, identifying firefighter clearance or non-clearance status, based upon the examining physician’s findings, as noted on the SF-78.
• Firefighters who answer “No” to all questions on the HSQ will create three (3) copies for documentation. The original will be retained by the employee/applicant, one copy will be sent to the SHRO, and the last copy will be shown to the Work Capacity Test (WCT) Administrator prior to the WCT.
• A matrix, Medical Examination Requirements During Lapse in Medical Contract Service, is provided to further describe the medical examination requirements based on employment category. Refer to: http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/NWCG/Final_Exam_Type_Matrix.pdf
• All HSQs and exam forms will be retained in employee’s Medical File within their respective SHRO offices. AD/EFF records shall be kept at the local hiring unit following records security protocols.
• The preferred method of obtaining medical exam services is through the utilization of local unit Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) with local medical clinics. If this preferred method is not an option, firefighters may select a physician of their choice. In either case, the firefighter will be responsible for requesting the exam. Payment method will be established by the local unit (e.g., Government purchase card/check writing).
• Exam costs will be paid at the park level out of position support funds. Account structure should be Organization Code, Project Code, EXAM, and benefitting PWE. For example: 1234-EXAM-P11 or 1234-EXAM-H11. Use the Firefighter Medical Examination Log http://www.nifc.gov/medical_standards/NWCG_transition.htm for exam and cost tracking. This log should be submitted to Chad Fisher by August 30, 2009.